The Senate on Wednesday took a hard-line stance against the rising cases of abduction across the country, proposing the death penalty for anyone convicted of kidnapping.
The upper chamber, during plenary, adopted a resolution classifying kidnapping as an act of terrorism and urged the Federal Government to immediately amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to reflect the new penalty.
The lawmakers said the move became necessary following the worsening wave of abductions nationwide and the need for a stronger deterrent.
According to the resolution, once the law is amended, any person found guilty of kidnapping will face an automatic death sentence.
“The resolution mandates that upon conviction for kidnapping, the death penalty must be enforced,” the Senate declared.
Several senators argued that the existing penalties have failed to curb the crime, which continues to claim lives and destabilise communities.
They insisted that treating kidnapping as a form of terrorism would empower security agencies and prosecutors to impose harsher punishments on offenders.
The Senate’s action comes amid renewed public outcry over abductions targeting students, travellers and rural communities.
The proposed amendment will be forwarded to relevant committees for legislative drafting before it is transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
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